Engaging religious leaders: South African Muslim women’s experiences in matters pertaining to divorce initiatives

This paper focuses on South African Muslim women’s experiences with engaging religious leaders in matters pertaining to divorce initiatives. By presenting a selection of Muslim women’s narratives on divorce initiatives, this paper argues that particular problematic power relationships rooted in outmoded patriarchal legal norms dominate religious leaders’ engagement with Muslim women. Three central themes are analysed in order to exemplify some of these dynamics: (1) the Muslim Judicial Council’s (MJC) reconciliation-at-all-costs approach; (2) the husband’s reputation; and (3) women’s experiences of marginalisation when presenting their case at the MJC. On the basis of these data, this paper argues that it is imperative to change the current modes of engagement so that women’s particular experiences in marriage are taken seriously and dealt with in ways that are concomitant with ideals of gender justice and equality.